Iran\u2019s parliament has called on the government to close the Strait of\nHormuz in response to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei\nduring recent escalation involving the United States and Israel. The\nworld is now closely monitoring the possibility of Iran implementing\nthis closure. Iran\u2019s parliament has reportedly supported this measure,\nthough the final decision will depend on approval from Iran\u2019s national\nsecurity council.<\/p>\n
If realised, this action would be the first time Iran has undertaken\nsuch a closure since the conflict with Israel began in 1979. The Strait\nof Hormuz is one of the world\u2019s most strategically important maritime\nroutes, serving as the passage for approximately one-fifth of global oil\nand gas supply.<\/p>\n
The Islamic Republic of Iran is currently at its closest position to\ntaking action to close the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, some analysts\nwere sceptical of similar threats because historically Iran has\npreferred measured approaches. However, the recent incident targeting\ntheir supreme leader has the potential to change this approach and push\nTehran to take action with greater impact on the global economy.<\/p>\n
The Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz<\/p>\n
The Strait of Hormuz is only about 33 kilometres wide. Despite its\nsmall size, the strait serves as a vital link between the oil-rich\nPersian Gulf and the rest of the world. This makes it one of the busiest\nand most strategically important maritime routes on Earth.<\/p>\n
Approximately 22%, or nearly a quarter, of the world\u2019s oil supply\npasses through the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately 20% of global\nliquefied natural gas (LNG) trade also passed through the Strait of\nHormuz in 2022.<\/p>\n
Beyond oil, the strait is also used to transport liquefied natural\ngas (LNG), petrochemicals, and other essential goods.<\/p>\n
The security and stability of this route are crucial to ensuring\nglobal trade continues smoothly. If the strait is blocked or disrupted,\nthe consequences could be extremely serious for global energy prices,\nsupply chains, and economies worldwide.<\/p>\n
Geopolitical Tensions Surrounding the Strait<\/p>\n
The Strait of Hormuz borders several countries, each with its own\ninterests and influence in the region.<\/p>\n
To the west are the United Arab Emirates and Oman, whilst Iran\ncontrols the northern coastline, and Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are on the\nopposite side. Its proximity to powerful nations and vital resources\nmakes the Strait of Hormuz a centre of geopolitical tension.<\/p>\n
The strategic importance of the strait has created various political\nand military challenges over the years. Iran, which controls most of the\nnorthern coastline, frequently threatens to block the strait during\ntimes of conflict.<\/p>\n
For example, in 2019, when tensions between Iran and the US peaked,\nIran seized tanker ships passing through the strait. This action, along\nwith other military confrontations in the region, triggered global\nconcerns about the security of the route and its impact on the world oil\nmarket.<\/p>\n
Security Challenges and Military Presence<\/p>\n
The Strait of Hormuz has become the focus of regional security\nissues. Because of its importance in global oil transportation, any\nthreat to the strait could quickly escalate into an international\ncrisis.<\/p>\n
Both the US and Iran have deployed military forces in the region, and\ntensions often escalate when military operations take place around the\nstrait.<\/p>\n
In recent years, military presence in the region has increased.<\/p>\n
The US Navy, together with other NATO members, frequently patrols the\nstrait to ensure shipping lanes remain open. Additionally, the UAE and\nSaudi Arabia maintain military presence to protect their oil facilities\nand infrastructure.<\/p>\n
However, this high concentration of forces also raises concerns. The\nmore military forces in the region, the greater the risk of\nconflict.<\/p>\n
Iran, for instance, has repeatedly threatened to close the strait if\nmilitary action is taken against it. Should this occur, the world could\nface a global oil crisis, as countries dependent on Gulf oil would need\nto find alternative routes.<\/p>\n
Facts About the Strait of Hormuz:<\/p>\n
The Strait of Hormuz is located between Oman and Iran, connecting\nthe Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.<\/p><\/li>\n
The strait is the world\u2019s most important oil chokepoint as it\nserves as the main route for global oil flow.<\/p><\/li>\n
In 2022, an average of 21 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil\nflowed through the Strait of Hormuz. This volume is equivalent to\napproximately 22% of global petroleum liquid consumption.<\/p><\/li>\n
Between 2020-2022, the volume of crude oil, condensate, and\npetroleum products [continued].<\/p><\/li>\n
Approximately 82% of crude oil and condensate passing through the\nStrait of Hormuz in 2022 was shipped to Asian markets.<\/p><\/li>\n
China, India, Japan, and South Korea are the four primary\ndestination countries, absorbing 67% of all oil and condensate passing\nthrough the Strait of Hormuz in 2022 and the first half of\n2023.<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Is There a History of Ship Attacks?<\/p>\n
During the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, both countries routinely\nthreatened each other\u2019s oil shipments.<\/p>\n
In 1988, the US Navy warship Vincennes shot down an Iranian passenger\nplane, killing 290 people in what Washington described as an\naccident.<\/p>\n
In 2010, a Japanese oil tanker was attacked by a group affiliated\nwith al-Qaeda.<\/p>\n
Has Iran Ever Closed the Strait of Hormuz?<\/p>\n
Iran has never actually closed the Strait of Hormuz in modern\nhistory, despite repeatedly threatening to do so.<\/p>\n
The Strait of Hormuz is also a vital route for Iran\u2019s own economy, as\nmost of Iran\u2019s oil exports pass through the strait.<\/p>\n
Closure of the strait could trigger open war with the US and its\nallies, which have significant military power in the Gulf region. To\ndate, Iran has more often chosen alternative actions such as limited\nstrikes, tanker sabotage, or navigation disruptions.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/iran-closes-strait-of-hormuz-global-oil-crisis-looms-1772355366", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }